A group of nurse managers is discussing cost effectiveness with hospital administrators. Which of the following statements indicates a strategy for cost effectiveness?

Rationale for Correct Choices:

• Evaluating the fetal heart rate tracing: The client’s report of decreased fetal movement and severe hypertension raises concern for fetal compromise. Immediate fetal assessment ensures the fetus is tolerating the intrauterine environment, especially before administering medications like magnesium sulfate.
• Administering magnesium sulfate IV: This is prescribed to prevent eclampsia, given the client’s severely elevated BP, hyperreflexia, and proteinuria. After confirming fetal status, seizure prophylaxis should be initiated without delay.

Rationale for Incorrect Choices:

• Administering acetaminophen PO: Although ordered for headache, the symptom is a manifestation of severe preeclampsia. Treating it symptomatically without addressing its cause could delay necessary critical interventions.
• Obtaining a 24-hour urine collection: Useful for confirming the extent of proteinuria, but not immediately necessary for clinical decision-making given existing positive findings.
• Inserting an indwelling urinary catheter: This supports fluid monitoring during magnesium therapy, but fetal assessment and seizure prevention take precedence.
• Administering betamethasone IM: Important for fetal lung development in preterm pregnancies, but it is not the immediate priority when there is a high risk for seizure or fetal distress.

Rationale:

A. Fibrocystic breast condition: This benign breast disorder does not interfere with the use of oral contraceptives. In fact, hormonal birth control may sometimes reduce breast pain and nodularity associated with this condition.

B. Hypertension: High blood pressure is a known contraindication for oral contraceptive use, especially if it is uncontrolled. Estrogen-containing contraceptives can further elevate blood pressure and increase the risk of cardiovascular events such as stroke or myocardial infarction.

C. Fibromyalgia: Fibromyalgia does not interact with oral contraceptives and is not a contraindication. While hormonal changes may influence pain perception, there is no direct risk in using contraceptives for someone with this condition.

D. Asthma: Asthma is not a contraindication to using oral contraceptives. There is no evidence that hormonal contraceptives worsen asthma symptoms or interfere with its management.